How did you switch from anchoring to acting?
I’ve wanted to be an actor since the 6th standard. I was always active in theatre. My first play was Merchant of Venice where I played Shylock. But I belong to Chandigarh where people can’t be honest about whether they want to be an actor or an artist. They are quite conservative. That is something I had to get beyond. Acting was always on the cards.

What is the difference between the two?
I had to unlearn a lot of what I used to do while anchoring. Anchoring is talking to the camera and acting is ignoring the camera. They are entirely different things. I needed to take a month of acting classes to brush up my skills.

Did being a Roadie prepare you for Bollywood?
Being a Roadie made me patient. I am naturally an introvert. On the show, I was the one who would speak less and not voice my opinion. I was 19 and very vulnerable. Unlike other reality show contestants I didn’t immediately shift base to Mumbai. I finished my studies, concentrated on theatre and only came to the city when I felt I was prepared. Then I knew I would crack every audition and I did.

Why Vicky Donor?
It’s difficult for a newcomer or an outsider in the industry to take the lead. There is lot of nepotism and I don’t have a godfather. I had to do something different, such as a film where the concept is the king. People should go watch the film not because of Ayushmann but because of the quirky subject. On TV you can make fun of people, you can do mimicry but films are serious business.

What does this concept tell the audience?
It is a very progressive topic that is the need of the hour. There are a lot of childless couples. It’s a common phenomenon but we don’t talk about it. I think sperm donation is better than blood donation. With blood donation we save lives but with sperm donation we grant lives.